Oh ... and I got to meet Milton & Rose Friedman through him. 

He chose us to be the distributers of the Free to Choose series on VHS cassettes.  Video-SIG ...

Bob - you brought good to the World.  

Great Guy,  miss him.  You were a major positive in my life.  

We are grateful for the creative vision and leadership that Bob brought to the classical liberal movement. His work with Free to Choose was so very important and is impossible to measure. Generations of young people and adults were exposed to ideas that they may never have experienced because he was committed to telling the stories that mattered. He sought and worked with the brightest of minds. And it is safe to say that he helped make Milton Friedman a household name (as much as an economist can be a household name). Though delayed, we send our deepest condolences to the Free to Choose Network and Bob's family and friends. He will be missed.

I’ve been Bob’s friend and member of his Board for over 30 years.  

Funding was always a challenge. Despite continuing struggles with funding,  Bob remained relentless in his commitment to promoting and defending classical liberal beliefs. 

Most important to me are Bob’s creation of programs to expose classical liberal ideas to young people that began with Stossel in the Classroom and evolved into izzit.org. 

His energy and enthusiasm are legendary.   Also legendary was his ability to  eat great quantities of food, always including two deserts, and remain thin as a rail. 

In the early days, Bob would stay at our home to save hotel expenses when he traveled to the Bay Area.  An example of his vigor is that he’d swim laps for an hour every morning in our pool.   

Highlights of Bob visits were dinners in San Francisco with Milton and Rose Friedman. Bob would invite prominent men and women. We’d have cocktails at the Friedman condominium with its wonderful views of the bay then go to dinner, usually at the Friedman’s favorite restaurant  Fior 'd Italia.

We loved the Christmas gifts Bob sent to his board members each year.  Always included clever, thoughtful items almost always including an knife that only a knife expert would have ever seen. Another example of his thoughtfulness, was a book of poems the sent to my wife, Annette, which he thought she’d like after discussing poetry with her; she loved them.

I will forever admire Bob’s courage and strength in dealing with his cancer.

David Jorgensen

Bob always raised my spirits every time we met.

His knowledge of our mutual free-market passion was limitless.

With whom shall I continue our habit of sharing freedom-based poems?

Bob's inspiration will continue in future generations, as he left us his footsteps.

Ron
www.mannwest.com

The real pleasures in life are working in the same vineyard with wonderful people who enrich your life. Bob was such a person. He had a power of attraction because of his warm smile and gracious manner. While we shared a commitment to teaching economics and a desire to teach the rising generation about the connections between economic freedom and human flourishing, it was only in recent years that I discovered we shared an interest in good poetry. This week, in a talk to young professionals in Washington, DC, I dedicated my remarks to Bob and read one of his favorite poems, A Box of Pastels, by Ted Kooser. Read it if you haven't and realize that knowing Bob left "light on the tips of [our] fingers."  RIP

I came to know Bob through my television program, "Junia Doan's The Spark".  Our mutual friend Dr. Tim Nash introduced us and I admired Bob's tenacity and dedication to Free to Choose Network. I knew he would be a great candidate for an interview on The Spark.

 After many attempts of doing a virtual interview, we were able to accomplish an interview by audio, a first for Junia Doan's The Spark.  We planned to keep it simple and short, but we had such an enjoyable time that we not only completed the 30-minute interview, we continued an intriguing conversation afterward.

Bob's pursuit of information and education, his connection with Northwood University, his deep friendship with Milton Friedman, and his outlook on wellbeing and happiness made him such an inspiring individual. 

8-Seconds

I first met Bob Chitester at Freedom Fest in Las Vegas several years ago. There was this curly gray-haired man with an apron standing behind a counter handing out samples of Milton’s Own Maple Sugar. Though puzzled, I then attended his presentation and I had to think to myself and later asked him what Maple Sugar has to do with Freedom Fest?

It was then I was introduced to the Free to Choose Network and his work with Milton Friedman. Since that time, we developed a friendship and we would exchange memories of our different lives yet, so similar in mission. He was a guest several times on my podcast program, Business Soup. The conversations went on long after the interview and, I introduced him to my world of being a rodeo cowboy and cattle ranching.

Bob became fascinated with rodeo events especially bull riding. We would talk regularly between treatments. We compared the past economic and socio-economic conditions to the current environment and would always conclude, “What Would Milton Say?” From there, we always moved the conversation to Rodeo, the business of Rodeo, and what it took to ride a bull. In this small world, Bob knew ranchers and horsemen who my family members would have known as well.  I joked and offered him a bull ride. I said, “It's only 8 seconds, Bob what could go wrong?” He would laugh and say, “That would have to wait.”  He was fascinated with the Cowboy lifestyle and why anyone would want to ride bulls. I would give him the Cowboy tales and tribulations of what it was like and how we responded to getting hurt. “Don’t worry Doc, just tape it up. I got 2 arms; I’ll use the other one!” He told me that he would watch for the RFD TV which was the Rural Free Delivery Channel for hours, and especially the Cowboy Channel that was associated with the network, he loved it! Then, he would say, “I gotta go” and hang up.

I told him that I was naming a breeding bull in his honor. “Chitester!” Chitter, as he goes by (because the ranch hands can’t pronounce Chitester) now roams 10,000+ acres with 750+ ladies in waiting. Bob got a good laugh!

I was humbled when Bob asked me to speak at Capitaf and to carry on the message of The Free to Choose Network with the words of Milton Freidman. I was speechless.

So, Bob, my friend, as you Rest in Peace and look down upon us, give that smile as you see the big white bull and know that ‘Chitter’ is making sure that your name lives on long and prosperous. “Cowboy-Up!”

I have so many wonderful memories of Bob; where to start... Let me begin with – a remarkable man of great integrity. You always knew where you stood with Bob and where Bob stood with you! He respected directness and debate and never shied away from speaking his mind. And although it was not always fun to be on the receiving end of one of his challenges, he was always fair-mined and thoughtful and willing to back down if an argument rang true to him. (In fact, he was usually trying to make sure you were prepeared for a challenge if one came along!)

Bob was wonderfully multifaceted! We all know of his love for song and rhyme but not everyone got to see the full scope of his interests. I think we enjoyed a peek into that side of Bob at Christmastime when he would send out an array of gifts that tickled his fancy – little things he found along his way throughout the year. It was something we always looked forward to...

And, of course, Bob was beloved. Beloved by so many people! I was immediately drawn to his quirky side (weren't we all?) the first time we met at an IHOP of all places. He was wearing his favorite tie (you all know which one, right?) and after spending time engaging me on my story, he launched into his own and his passion for the mission of Free to Choose. Passion doesn't quite capture it, though. Obsession perhaps? Is there a stronger word I can use? He was truly devoted to the ministry of the movement and he was tireless in propelling it forward. He loved his work and he loved shaping the message that would serve humankind and pave the way for the coming generations. 

I miss you, Bob. I hope that your zeal and zest for life and liberty continues to flourish in your wake (it's a long wake, to be sure). You have left an indelible mark on society and on the lives of those you have touched. You can rest now, Bob...if that is ever possible! 

Kip

Even though I have already left a much longer tribute to Bob, I know Bob would be disappointed if one of us did not include one of his favorite quotes that he brought up at almost all of our meetings over the year and a half that I had the privilege of working with him. "Advances are made by answering questions. Discoveries are made by questioning answers." Bernhard Haisch.  I shall never forget this Bob!